ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — Devon Gorel, a senior from Jessup, Md., received the United East Conference Senior Scholar-Athlete Award for men’s tennis on June 5, 2025, as announced by the league office. The award honors a senior who excels in competition, academics, and community service, embodying the student-athlete model. Gorel, a two-year team captain at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, graduated as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, becoming the first Seahawks men’s tennis player to earn this prestigious recognition.
“Devon truly puts the student in student-athlete. A captain for two years and always happy to help however he can, I could not be prouder that he earned this honor on top of his other accomplishments, including valedictorian. His hard work on and off the court is what St. Mary’s College tennis is all about,” third-year Head Coach Sona Brymer said. Gorel’s academic achievements include a double major in computer science and mathematics, consistent Dean’s List honors, and membership in Chi Alpha Sigma, the national collegiate student-athlete honor society for juniors and seniors.
The United East Senior Scholar-Athlete Award, in its third year, requires recipients to have senior or graduate student standing, at least two years of competition at their institution, a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and demonstrated leadership and community service. Gorel met these standards through his academic excellence, athletic contributions, and community engagement. He joined his teammates in teaching local children the basics of tennis, showcasing his commitment to service.
On the court, Gorel recorded 10 singles wins and secured his first doubles victory as a senior. His accolades include two United East Scholar-Athlete honors in 2022 and 2023, two United East Winter/Spring All-Academic Team selections, three Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete awards, and three consecutive United East Elite 20 Awards. Gorel follows his sister, Hannah Gorel, who earned the same award for women’s tennis in 2023, marking a family legacy at St. Mary’s College.
St. Mary’s College has had 12 Seahawks earn the United East Senior Scholar-Athlete Award since its inception. In 2025, Giselle Harris (women’s tennis) and Quinnten Hatfield (men’s lacrosse) joined Gorel as recipients. Past honorees include Michael Wade (men’s cross country, 2024), Ariana Lecouras (women’s cross country, 2024), Betsy Robey (women’s outdoor track and field, 2024), MC Mortimer (women’s lacrosse, 2024), Quentin Pastore (men’s cross country, 2023), Stacie Lally (women’s cross country, 2023), Hannah Gorel (women’s tennis, 2023), Lily Davison (women’s lacrosse, 2023), and Liam deLone-Bellsey (men’s soccer, 2022). This tradition underscores the college’s commitment to fostering well-rounded student-athletes.
Gorel’s recognition as valedictorian and team captain highlights his leadership and dedication. His Dean’s List achievement every semester required a minimum semester GPA of 3.50 on at least 12 credit hours taken for a letter grade. His community service, including teaching tennis to local youth, further demonstrates his impact beyond academics and athletics. The United East Conference award celebrates his ability to balance these demanding roles while contributing to his team’s success.
The award marks a significant milestone for Gorel, who has set a high standard for St. Mary’s College tennis. His achievements reflect the values of the Seahawks’ athletic program, which emphasizes academic rigor, competitive spirit, and community involvement. As the first men’s tennis player to earn this honor, Gorel leaves a lasting legacy at St. Mary’s College.
